Learning while playing your favourite characters (VTech V.Smile TV Learning System)

Member Name: yellowroses

Product:	VTech V.Smile TV Learning System
Date:	11/11/08 (141 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Educational fun with lots of extras

Disadvantages: Batteries run down quick so adapter is a must buy

I bought this for my son when he was 3 as a bundle with Winnie the Pooh for around the £40 mark I have the orange and purple one but it also comes in pink and purple with Dora the Explorer for the girls and blue with Thomas and Friends for the boys. The games are all educational yet fun for kids as are all of favourite characters:

Winnie the Pooh (3-5 years)
Dora the Explorer (3-6 years)
Shrek the Third (4- 6 years)
Ratatouille (4-6 years)
Toy Story (4-6 years)
Cars (4-6 years)
Spiderman (5-7 years)
The Wiggles (3-5 years)
Bob the Builder (3-5 years)
Thomas the Tank Engine (3-5 years)
Scooby Doo (5-7 years)
Diego (3-5 years)
Cinderella (5- 7 years)
The Backyardigans (3-5 years)

There are probably more games but these are the ones i am aware of and they retail at around £16.99. The games are educational- learning letters and numbers and all have short puzzles as well as learning adventures - well i am assuming the girls are the same as the boys. The ones I have actually seen are Winnie the Pooh, Bob the Builder. Thomas. Toy Story, Cars, Rataouille, Shrek the Third and The Wiggles. The age range is between 3 and 7 years and thats one of the benefits to this console games that suit your growing childs ability. I would however say that most of the games would be far too advanced for the average 3 year old.

The console itself is sturdy - has been accidentally dropped on floor a few times with no damage. It has suctions caps on the base to prevent falls. It connects so simply to the tv via a scart lead. There is even has a picture of a sun to turn it on and a moon to turn it off so children can be independant , there is no complicated set up. It has a handy storage compartment on the top for storage of games (keeps them all together and free from dust and sticky fingers)

The console usually comes with one joystick but most games can be either one or two players and spare joysticks sell for around £11.99.

The joystick can be changed to suit left or right handed children and the buttons are all big and bright so easy for little fingers.

There is also a sing along microphone available for around £10 which encourages reading and confidence.

Another great add on is the V Smile Art Studio (a stylus and pad a bit like a scribbler) which connects to the console and allows drawings to be displayed straight onto the TV.

A must buy however would be the Vtech 9V adapter around £8.99. The console does operate on size C batteries however in my experience they dont last very long and i was forever running to the shops for new ones

The games are great educationally and my son learnt heaps without even realising it (the best way to learn) It is perfect for when hes a bit tired or just for a quiet hour with his friends. Would definately reccomend this learning system.

Summary: Great for both amusement and education